She was born in the Deep South to Deaf parents, Alfred H. Lee, born in Canada and WillieMae Cremen-Lee born in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Juti spent most of her adolescent summers growing up and learning about the similarities and differences among deaf people in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. When she moved North, she lived in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming and visited family in Canada. She finally settled in California at the age of 13, where she has lived ever since. 

As a child born in 1949, and growing up in the 1950's, she learned to communicate in sign language with and for her Deaf parents. It was during the years when there were no blackberries, sidekicks, closed captioning, video relay, flashing door bells, Deaf Ear Dogs, or phones with flashing lights to alert them someone was trying to contact them. During the 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's it was very common for children of Deaf parents (CODA's) to communicate between them and people the hearing world.

As a child Juti remembers all too well the feelings of frustration and being different from other children because she was mocked and teased endlessly for having deaf parents.

She was frequently called upon by her parents to communicate between the Deaf world and the Hearing world and the burden was sometimes too great for a young child to bear. She grew up feeling responsible for her parents and learned to problem solve in order to keep peace.

She often resented not having the freedoms of other children to play and enjoy their childhood, however, as she grew older she learned to appreciate knowing sign language and was grateful for the "gift" of sign language from her Deaf parents.

Her mother would often volunteer her to interpret, bragging to her Deaf friends, about how well her daughter Juti could interpret in sign language. At the ages of 14 Juti was interpreting at the DMV, AFDC, Social Security, Job interviews, Medical Appointments and once for her parents in the Court of Long Beach, CA at the age of 13 (1962).

After her experience in the court the Legal Bug bit her and she knew that she wanted to continue to be an interpreter in the Deaf community. When she was 17 years old, (1967) Juti's mother told her that the deaf community, had a new organization called 'GLAD' Greater Los Angeles Aid to the Council on Deafness, and they hire interpreters and that was the beginning of a long and wonderful career as a professional sign language interpreter.

Juti's broad travels throughout America, Canada, Mexico and Africa have provided given her with a remarkable knowledge base and understanding of the Deaf culture in so many wonderful cities and countries. She has developed a rich  resource of wisdom from years of  observing sign language among Deaf people all over the world.  Primarily while growing up and participating in her parents cultural activities. She instinctively knows the "HOW's" of interpreting, as do most interpreter children of deaf parents (CODA) and she has learned the "WHY's" through taking classes in Deaf Studies at Pierce college. Her continued education in the interpreting field helps her to maintain her interpreting certification. She also studied Legal Interpreting at the University of Northern Colorado.

Juti holds a Bachelors and Masters of Science in Human Services, a Master's of Science Degree in Counseling Psychology from Cal State University of Fullerton.

Juti did her Master's degree writing project, "Women in Crisis" About how Alcohol and Drugs have impacted Domestic Violence. Her Professor selected the writing project as one of the "to be kept on file" at the CSUF library as an example of a perfect project for Master Students to review. She also has a lifetime, community college teaching certificate to teach ASL and 15 counseling related specialized certificates. She graduated with honors and Dean's list for her A.A., B.S. M.S. and Ph.D.

She earned a Ph.d in the Philosophy of Religion, a 5 year course in religous studies at a private college, W.H. Dunn. Her dissertation has been kept on file as an example for future students to reference  "In Search of a Life Worth Living"  She compiled her dissertation gathering information from her personal experience when she attended 5 different religions, over a period of 5 years. Her professor edited her dissertation into a book to be published and passed away before it was published. Juti feels that education is an enormous part of becoming a highly skilled and qualified professional interpreter.

Juti has been called upon many times to facilitate communication between hearing and deaf people who have acquired little or no formal sign language. Instead, using gestures, classifiers, objects, pictures and whatever is at hand to obtain or relay information. Dr. Seshie and her husband have traveled extensively to Africa and while there visited, support and have donated to the school library annually. The library has a sign over their library books honoring Mr. & Mr. Seshie. While staying in Ghana, West Africa a few months at a time Dr. Seshie will continue to teach at the Elementary and Secondary Deaf School in Mampong, until her and her husband eventually retire to West Africa. 

Juti K. Seshie, Ph.D. 

Just after returning home from Africa

While Juti was in Ghana, West Africa she travelled to the "ASL" Deaf schools in Ghana, she met and married her husband Justice "Kofi" Seshie. Juti and her husband plan to retire someday in Ghana and Juti will be teaching in the Deaf schools.

Dr. Seshie's most memorable day in her interpreting career was when she was selected to interpret for  President Ronald W. Reagan when he presented the award of excellence at the California High School  in Whittier, CA. 

A $5,000 check was awarded  to the top instructor in Science and Mathematics, to Mr. Clyde Corcoran, in 1983.

It was a very exciting time in my life when I received the phone call that said, "was selected to interpret for the President of the United States" At first I thought it was a prank. I was told I would be receiving another phone call to ask for personal information. In a few minutes I received a call from a stranger, asking me a couple of questions and he said he would call me back and in less than 30 minutes a person called me back and gave me the details of the assignment.

I was to arrive early before the doors were open to the public, there were a dozen or more black limos were coming and going and several were parked close to the front entrance. Then a helicopter came and left and came back again.

When I entered the building, it was the High School's Gym, I was approached by 2 secret service men and I told them who I was and I showed them my identification. They escorted me to my position about 10 feet away from the President.  Oh Boy! I had a secret service man standing on each side of me and every move I made they made. Every time I reached for my water they moved toward me, they made me  really nervous and that made me really thirsty.

After the Award of Excellence in Teaching for Math and Science was presented and the ceremony was all over, the secret service asked everyone to remain seated and not to leave, after the President left safely, we were told we could leave.. Wow!  Was that ever thrilling, exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time...What can ever top that in my interpreting career!!!

I know! Teaching others how to be a qualified professional interpreter!!!

DR. Juti K. Seshie

Entering Santa Ana Courthouse Fountain Area Across from the Federal and State buildings.